Latest news with #OperationShanela2
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
WC police shortage cripples operations
CAPE TOWN - In a country struggling to rein in its crime problem, the Western Cape consistently ranks as one of the provinces with a high murder rate. In June Operation Shanela 2 was launched across the province. It's more police, with a targeted approach because of improved crime intelligence. The establishment of an anti-gang unit and frequent raids by Operation Shanela officers, are having minimal impact. Gang and extortion related killings continue, especially on the Cape Flats. There has been a spate of mass killings. Seven people were shot dead one incident in Gugulethu. And between June and July dozens of people have been killed in gang related violence on the Cape Flats. The City of Cape Town plans to add 700 more police officers. They will be deployed in September after 18 months of specialised training. The province has also launched crime prevention programmes at schools. Planet Youth has also been rolled out at schools and targets substance abuse among grade 8 and 9 pupils. The programme aims to shield young people from the temptation of joining gangs, and offers them a safer, supportive environment.
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
Police boss plans to take back Johannesburg
Newly appointed Johannesburg District Police Commissioner Major General Nonhlanhla Kubheka has laid out a clear and urgent mission, to unite law enforcement and communities under a shared commitment to safety, visibility, and trust. Speaking at a meet-and-greet session held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways on July 15, the commissioner said her leadership would be grounded in action, discipline, and meaningful collaboration. 'As the captain of the ship, I will lead.' She outlined a six-pronged mission that prioritises integrated policing, stronger partnerships, and social impact. At the core of her mission is a deep belief that: 'Criminals are very few among us,' and that united communities have the power to shift the tide on crime. She said her first pillar is partnership and collaboration, not only with SAPS and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), but also with private security, government departments, and the Community Policing Forum (CPF) structures on the ground. 'The crime is happening in the community, which is why we must work with the community.' Also read: Douglasdale CPF calls for school shoe donations The second pillar is police visibility and crime reduction. Acknowledging limited personnel, Kubheka called for better resource co-ordination and intelligence-led operations. Kubheka highlighted the role of crime prevention wardens as a key force multiplier in overcoming police shortages. Thirdly, she committed to educating officers on the six pillars of the integrated crime and violence prevention strategy, with special emphasis on early intervention among the youth, victim support, and public participation. 'We must plant the seed now to see change in the next generation.' Other mission points include: tackling hijacked buildings, a known breeding ground for crime, and strengthening the mental health and professional development of officers, especially the incoming recruits. Also read: Massive rush of enrolments for SAPS training programme The other focus is on discipline and anti-corruption, which Kubheka sees as essential to rebuilding trust. 'We can't have law enforcement if we are not disciplined and addressing the corruption. Corruption is affecting the discipline. We are losing a lot of members. We are saying we are [dedicated to] the organisation, but we've got a lot of members who are going out the back door because they cannot continue to work with us. They are compromising us. 'Let us remember that effective discipline helps build community trust and maintain the integrity of law enforcement.' While acknowledging the challenges, Kubheka also pointed to recent success stories, particularly in tackling violent and organised crime. 'We have recorded commendable successes through multidisciplinary operations. These include Operation Shanela 2, Valamgodi, and various high-density operations.' Also read: SAPS reunites nearly 18 000 missing persons with families in 5 years Most notably, she highlighted progress in several kidnapping cases, including the breakthrough in the murder case of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek from Fleurhof. 'In June, we managed to solve about six kidnapping cases and reunited victims with their families. We confiscated firearms, drugs, and made arrests in drunk-driving cases. 'Colleagues, we have seen the crime picture improve for the quarter. I am very proud.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Mchunu calls for immediate action on Western Cape mass killings
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has urged police leadership to abandon routine strategies and deploy all available resources in response to the latest wave of mass killings in the Western Cape. This follows the deaths of 13 people in separate incidents over the past week. On Saturday, seven men were fatally shot in an ambush at a residence in Kanana, Gugulethu. Just days later, police discovered three more bodies at different locations in nearby Samora Machel. Earlier in the same week, three suspected hijackers were killed in a shootout in Nyanga during a foiled hijacking attempt. Mchunu described the situation in the Cape Flats as dire, warning, 'It is as if we have to choose between the people and the murderers; we actually do not have a choice.' In response, Mchunu confirmed that the Western Cape police have launched a chase for the Gugulethu shooting suspects. He said the unknown perpetrators must be tracked down as part of Operation Shanela 2, an intensified strategy rolled out last Friday. The operation focuses on murder, illegal firearms, drug trafficking, and gender-based violence. It draws on coordinated efforts between SAPS task teams, intelligence units, and various levels of government. 'The situation requires full implementation of what the ministry and management have discussed and concluded over a considerable period of time now,' said Mchunu. The minister did not mince words, calling parts of the Cape Flats 'the killing fields' of the province. He warned against normalising the violence: 'What the police ministry and police top management must refuse to do is to treat this as a normal trend and keep the normal methods of policing in place.' He called on the national police commissioner to mobilise every available resource: 'We urge the national commissioner and his team to activate and unleash all police resources to confront criminality and criminals.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- The Citizen
Operation Shanela nets 151 suspects
SEDIBENG. – A powerful, coordinated police operation delivered significant results in the fight against crime. Police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela said Operation Shanela 2, conducted on May 29 in Heidelberg and Ratanda under the Sedibeng District, resulted in multiple arrests, numerous traffic fines, and the recovery of illicit goods. She added that this major effort follows a pre-Shanela detective operation conducted from May 28 to 29, where 147 cases were attended to, resulting in 123 arrests across various crime categories, including serious contact crimes and gender-based violence (GBV). * Total cases attended: 147 * Total arrests: 123 Heidelberg SAPS successes: Seven arrests for unlicensed firearm, theft, and shoplifting Traffic Fines Issued: 68 Total Value: R82 950 Common Offences: Driving without a license, expired license discs, PRDP violations, defective windscreens, and overloading. The combined effect of the pre-Shanela detective operation and Operation Shanela 2 resulted in 151 arrests. 'The results of this operation are a clear signal to criminals: Sedibeng is not a safe haven. We remain relentless in our pursuit of law and order. We applaud the coordinated efforts of our SAPS units, traffic officials, wardens, and community partners.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
